The 2026 NAJ Awards Put UK Jewellery Talent Centre Stage

More than 380 members of the UK jewellery trade gathered at the ICC Birmingham on 8 October for the 2026 NAJ Awards, an evening devoted to the people, businesses and ideas moving the industry forward.

Presented in partnership with headline sponsor Curteis, this year’s ceremony recognised achievement across 15 categories spanning design, retail, manufacturing, customer service, digital engagement and community impact.

The awards were organised around three pillars — Great Ideas, Great People and Great Businesses — with each section supporting one of the trade’s charitable organisations: the Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity, the NAJ Educational Trust and The Benevolent Society.

Sheila Fleet Jewellery wins Store Design of the Year

Sheila Fleet Jewellery was named Store Design of the Year, a category sponsored by Visionary Displays.

Andrew Martyniuk, Marketing Director of Visionary Displays and Founder of The Jewels Club, was delighted to present the award to Sheila Fleet on behalf of Visionary Displays and The Jewels Club.

“It was a real pleasure to present Store Design of the Year to Sheila Fleet on behalf of Visionary Displays and The Jewels Club. This category celebrates the creativity, thought and attention to detail that can turn a jewellery store into a genuinely memorable experience.

“Sheila Fleet Jewellery has built such a distinctive identity, and it was wonderful to recognise the team’s achievement in a room filled with so many talented people from across the trade.”

Andrew Martyniuk, Marketing Director of Visionary Displays and Founder of The Jewels Club for Visionary Displays, the sponsorship reflects the company’s belief that the setting in which jewellery is presented forms an important part of its story. From secure illuminated cabinets to complete turnkey exhibition environments, its work is focused on helping designers, retailers and brands create spaces in which jewellery can command attention.

The 2026 winners

Under the Great Ideas pillar, Giovanni Raspini won Collection of the Year, with Lenaginarium highly commended. Aston University Goldsmiths Institute received Community Engagement of the Year, while Wildring secured Digital Engagement of the Year, with Antique Jewellers highly commended.

Gemmology Rocks won ESG Initiative of the Year, and Sheila Fleet Jewellery completed the category by taking Store Design of the Year.

The Great People awards recognised several individuals working across different areas of the trade. Richard Allen of Pepper Tree Studio was named Customer Champion of the Year, with Laura Bendoni of Jeremy France Jewellers and Marie Brennan of Birmingham Assay Office both highly commended.

Xiaoyu Li of Xiaoyu Li Jewellery received Designer of the Year, while Birmingham City University’s Katie Mason was named Rising Star of the Year. Charlotte Copeman of Lily Arkwright was highly commended in the latter category.

Sam Cavell of Weston Beamor won Unsung Hero of the Year, and Lucy Stokes of Libby Rak Jewellery was named Workshop Professional of the Year.

Within the Great Businesses pillar, Moira Patience took Bespoke Retailer of the Year, with Blackacre highly commended. Ainsworth Jewellers was named Jewellery Retailer of the Year, while HS Walsh & Sons won Product Supplier of the Year, with Allied Gold highly commended.

Jewellers Academy, Yorkshire, received Service Supplier of the Year. Gemmology Rocks and Squash Media Group were both highly commended. Sonny’s Jewellers Group completed the principal awards by winning Team of the Year, with Siop iard highly commended.

Further recognition

Two additional honours were presented during the evening.

Sammantha Maclachlan received the David Wilkins Award, regarded as the highest distinction available to a jewellery valuer and recognising an outstanding contribution to the trade and its professional valuing community.

Ian Cookson of PA Jewellery was presented with the inaugural NAJ Retail Network Member of the Year award, created to recognise exceptional contributions to the association’s retail community.

Reflecting on the ceremony, NAJ Chief Executive Ben Massey congratulated the winners, highly commended recipients and finalists, describing their achievements as evidence of the talent, commitment and ambition found throughout the association’s membership.

The awards were supported by 15 category sponsors alongside Curteis, together with supporting sponsors AG Group and Sheffield Assay Office and partner the British Allied Trades Federation.

The NAJ Awards will return to the ICC Birmingham on 21 October 2027.

The Jewels Club Take

The breadth of this year’s winners matters. The list moves easily between established retail businesses, independent designers, educators, workshop professionals and digital-first companies, reflecting an industry whose strength comes from far more than its most visible names.

Sheila Fleet Jewellery’s Store Design of the Year win is also a reminder that physical retail remains a powerful part of the jewellery experience. A successful store does more than hold stock. It communicates identity, creates atmosphere and gives customers a reason to spend time with the work.

In an increasingly digital market, that sense of place has become more valuable, not less.

Discover More

Read more about the NAJ Awards 2026.